Origin of the Blue and White Striped Engineer's Cap
There is no sport that evokes more nostalgia
among Americans than baseball. America's favorite pastime originated
before the Civil War as a game called "rounders." Throughout the 1850s
and 60s, the game evolved to include more mental judgment skills, and
eventually involved scoring and record keeping. By 1871, just two years
after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, the professional
baseball league was born.
By the time the early 20th century rolled
around, most large cities in the eastern United States had professional
baseball teams. Because of the sport's popularity, many famous ball
players like Phil Rizzuto, Eddie Matthews, Harry "The Hat" Walker and
the legendary Babe Ruth spent a significant amount of time riding the
rails.
Employees of the railroads, with a desire for
camaraderie and recreation, formed employee baseball teams. These teams
were quite organized and even competed in leagues and championships.
One semi-famous railroader took time off to
play semi-pro and professional baseball. George "Stormy" Kromer was an
engineer for the Chicago and North Western. Kromer made a habit of
wearing his baseball cap while at the controls of his engine, but it
just wasn't quite what he needed while on the job.
Kromer came home one day and lamented his
discomfort to to his wife, Ida. The Kromers put their heads together and
came up the design of what we now call the railroad engineer's cap.
Ida Kromer, an expert seamstress, assembled
George's new cap with what she had at hand: blue and white pinstripe
pillow ticking. Their efforts were a hit. The cap became very popular
among railroaders, and ultimately resulted in the beginning of a
business that still exists today.
Source with a photo of the Kromers.
I have two. One with no logo and one from
Tweetsie Railroad. No, I am not going to post a photo of me wearing them.
